HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL

Troubadour Wembley Park

★★★

“the production’s infectious energy and sense of fun carry it through”

Twenty years after becoming a global phenomenon, ‘High School Musical’ returns to the stage with a refreshed experience ready to win over a new generation. While some tweaks may divide fans, expanded character beats and renewed sparkle delivers plenty of feel good charm.

Basketball star Troy Bolton and gifted newbie Gabriella Montez dare to break free of East High’s social cliques through their shared love of singing. Will they stick to the status quo or soar beyond expectations?

David Simpatico’s book keeps the plot lean, focusing on the few days between announcing and casting the school’s musical. Some of the new school-broadcast and drama-class sequences could be tighter, but this version smartly expands the character motivations, creating a slightly more multifaceted feel than the film. Sharpay and Ryan benefit most from this, while Troy and Gabriella remain more archetypes than fully realised characters. Still, that’s true to the film and the added heart is a notable improvement.

With music adapted and arranged by Bryan Louiselle, the score delivers all the beloved hits plus new numbers ‘Cellular Fusion’ and ‘Counting On You’. While these additions may lack the catchy appeal of the originals, they help the expanded story flow. The bigger issue is repetition: nearly every major song has a reprise. While there’s no denying the audience’s appetite for the hits, the pared-back first outing of ‘We’re All In This Together’ leaves the climactic reprise with less punch than it deserves.

Co-directed by Joseph Houston and William Whelton, this production is packed with inventive touches that turn a show into an experience, from onstage seating to action spilling into the auditorium – even if they miss a trick by not including the onstage audience more. Troy and Gabriella’s literally soaring ‘Breaking Free’ is pretty special, despite the audible seatbelt clicks. While some character moments could dig deeper and a handful of scenes are lost to tiny screens, the production’s infectious energy and sense of fun carry it through.

Aaron Renfree’s choreography strikes a smart balance between nostalgia and fresh ideas, keeping numbers like the up-tempo ‘What I’ve Been Looking For’ close to the film while injecting new energy with a sharp basketball sequence. That said, ‘I Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You’ lacks the intimacy it aims for, and superfans may miss the familiar ‘We’re All In This Together’ moves, but the overall effect remains upbeat, fun and unmistakably Disney.

Andrew Exeter’s set creates real game-day atmosphere, complete with pre-show crowd noise, popcorn sellers and onstage seating. Matt Peploe’s sound design adds to the immersive feel, drawing audiences into the world, however the balance can be inconsistent during ensemble numbers. George Reeve’s video design is less successful as the screens are simply too small to fully appreciate the work. Rory Beaton’s lighting embraces the show’s playful spirit, shifting from flashy sports-arena spectacle to gloriously over-the-top romance. Sophia Pardon’s costumes perfectly capture the early-2000s aesthetic, though Sharpay and Ryan’s newsboy caps cast distracting shadows. Angie Carradus and Jackie Sweeney’s wigs and hair design are equally effective, giving Sharpay a cascade of immaculate curls while keeping the rest of the cast refreshingly natural.

McFly’s Harry Judd brings warmth to Coach Bolton and proves he’s still got the vocal chops, while KayCee Stroh is delightfully flamboyant and just as dynamic on the dancefloor as Ms Darbus. Tobias Turley’s Troy pairs a soaring voice with impressive basketball skills, and Leonor Correia’s crystal clear vocals captures Gabriella’s sweetness, though both could dig a little deeper emotionally. Caitlin Tipping’s entertainingly scheming Sharpay and Luke Bayer’s confident Ryan stand out, while the supporting cast deliver strong vocals, sharp choreography and infectious enthusiasm, even if the tempo drags a smidge in places.

‘High School Musical’ is a winning, feel-good night out even if some elements could get their head in the game. The infectious energy, beloved songs and enthusiastic performances ensure audiences will have a great time.

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL

Troubadour Wembley Park

Reviewed on 20th October 2026

by Hannah Bothelton

Photography by Matt Crockett

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL

★★★★

“the most important thing is that it is joyously fun”

A queen who accidentally plunges Arendelle into an eternal winter, with her secret powers. The quest of her sister to find her and save their kingdom. This is the story you all know but as you’ve never seen it before. Filmed at London’s grand Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Frozen The Musical is an astonishing production that brings the songs, sorcery and wonders of the phenomenon movie to the stage, without losing any of the drama or magic of the original.

At the beginning of act one, a Greek chorus introduces a young Princess Elsa of Arendelle (Elizabeth Lyons) and her younger sister, Princess Anna (Martha Bailey Vine) playing in their bedroom. Anna, unaware of her sister’s magical powers is accidentally injured in the excitement, a scene which is the genesis of what is to follow. Sisters that will not see each other until the day before Elsa’s coronation due to the elder’s fear of hurting her sister. It is a magnificent opening to the show led by the two young actresses with excellent acting accompanied by harmonious vocals. It is remarkable how they own the space of the stage at such young ages. The only shame is that their parts are restricted by the narrative to just the prologue.

Years pass. The day before the coronation is where Samantha Barks and Laura Dawkes take over the roles of Elsa and Anna, respectively. The coronation passes without issue, however, Elsa unintentionally unleashes her powers in front of the gathered attendees, before running away to the North Mountain, unaware that she has left Arendelle in an eternal winter. Anna and ice harvester Kristoff set off after Elsa, leaving Anna’s fiancé Prince Hans, initially set up to be the Prince Charming of the piece, in charge of the kingdom.

The first act draws to a close with a powerful rendition of ‘Let it Go’ from Queen Elsa. Samantha Barks is an unstoppable force as the Queen, with extraordinary singing and authentic acting. The same is true of Laura Dawkes as Princess Anna, who demonstrates an astounding range of vocals and imperious performance, which retains its energy remarkably given that she remains on stage for almost all of the production.

The second act is equally enchanting, even if a little rushed at times. The musical contains twelve new songs alongside some of the classics of the original. This might be slightly too many as there is a noticeable drop in force of delivery when Elsa or Anna are not leading the songs. It also doesn’t quite give enough space to the story around the music, with the major plot twist of the show almost glossed over. This is a weakness as it is central to the resolution that then follows.

However, despite bringing the animated film to the stage, the show does not lose any of its magic. The film is emboldened by special effects which fall into place with perfect timing. These include instant costume changes and intriguing transitions between different sceneries. The production stretches what was thought possible for a live-action remake. The use of multiple camera angles brings us into the action. It does not feel like we are separated from the actors by a screen, it is as if we are a part of the action in a theatre or it is happening in our living rooms.

The direction (Michael Grandage) is pinpoint throughout and the dance choreography is flawless. The dancers add incredible depth to the songs, a feature that the film could not have achieved. However, the most important thing is that it is joyously fun in a natural way. In an age, of constant live-action remakes, this is certainly one worth seeing.

Tag Archives: Disney

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL

★★★

Troubador Wembley Park

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL

Troubadour Wembley Park

★★★

“the production’s infectious energy and sense of fun carry it through”